Implementation of a low titer group O whole blood program for a law enforcement tactical team

Andrew D Fisher, John Dunn, Jason R Pickett, Justine Garza, Ethan A Miles, Vivian Diep, Mark Escott

Transfusion 2020 Jun;60 Suppl 3:S36-S44

The Texas Ranger Special Operations Group (SOG) performs high-risk warrant service and responds to callouts for evolving kinetic situations and special missions as required. These operations may occur many hours from a trauma center. Fresh whole blood (FWB) transfusions may offer a stopgap for those who are critically injured. To make FWB transfusions a viable option, several steps must be implemented. The following lays out how the Texas Ranger SOG will implement and conduct FWB transfusions using low titer group O whole blood. The techniques outlined may be useful for communities that may face critical blood shortage in disasters.